§ 8. Sir COOPER RAWSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether 1654 his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of setts and kerbs from Norway and Sweden have progressively increased during the first five months of this year; and whether anything can be done to protect the home industries and the men w ho are out of work or working short time, in view of the fact that the trade agreements entered into with Norway and Sweden preclude any variation of the duties proposed by the Imports Advisory Committee for three years?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)I am aware that imports from Norway and Sweden of setts and kerbs have shown a small progressive increase each month of this year, but imports from these countries in the first five months of 1933 were less than in the corresponding period of 1932 and at a rate of less than half the average monthly imports from Norway and Sweden in 1931. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on behalf of the Minister of Transport to the hon. Member for Torquay on 22nd June, regarding the steps which are being taken to promote the use of British material of this kind.
§ Sir C. RAWSONMay I ask the hon. Gentleman if he realises that if this small progressive increase goes on until the end of the year, probably the imports will then be much bigger than they were in 1932 and in 1931?
§ Mr. BURNETTCan the hon. Gentleman inform me whether, if the imports of setts, kerbs and monuments continue to increase, the trade agreements will prevent any quantitative regulation being put into force?
§ Dr. BURGINIn reply to the first supplementary: There is ground for thinking that such a temporary increase is due entirely Co seasonal causes in regard to road-building programmes. With regard to the second supplementary: The Norwegian and Swedish agreements conventionalised the duty at 15 per cent. I understand that there are restrictions on quantitative regulation.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEWill the hon. Gentleman confer with the Minister of Transport with a view to reducing the grants to local authorities who use foreign kerbs and setts?
§ Sir C. RAWSON rose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot spend such a long time on each question.